Quinn's Hot Springs Resort

Seven outdoor pools plus four indoor jetted hot tubs in the cabin rentals. The outdoor pool inventory: a swimming pool kept around 80 F, two hot pools at 104 to 106 F, two warm pools at 95 to 100 F, a cool pool at 60 to 70 F, and a cold plunge at 50 F. The pool complex is laid out along the Clark Fork River in a forested canyon, with the cabins set into the hillside above.

In Paradise, Montana, on the Clark Fork River in Sanders County, about 80 miles northwest of Missoula. The address is 190 Quinn's Canyon Road on State Highway 135. From Missoula the drive is one hour 30 minutes via I-90 west to St. Regis then MT-135 north along the Clark Fork. Spokane is 175 miles west, three hours. Glacier National Park is two hours north.

Yes, in over 25 cabins ranging from one-bedroom Original cabins to multi-bedroom River cabins with private hot tubs. Cabin rates include pool access. The Lodge offers hotel-style rooms as a budget alternative. RV sites and a campground are also on-property. Quinn's Tavern handles meals on-site (buffalo burgers, prime rib, fish are the regional menu); the cabin kitchens are an alternative for guests who want to cook.

Yes, with caveats. The pool complex welcomes families, and the family-oriented cabins accommodate larger parties. The complex is intentionally adult-leaning with quiet hours after 10 PM and a generally contemplative atmosphere. Kids are welcome but the resort is not aquatic-park style; it is canyon and river soaking. Tavern dining is family-friendly. Most family visits work well; the resort does not push children's programming.

Day-use pool passes are published at the operator's site. Cabin overnight rates start in the mid-hundreds and rise with cabin size and season; rates include pool access. Holiday and ski-season weekends are the priciest. Quinn's Tavern and the on-site restaurant are billed separately. Reservations are not strictly required for day use but strongly recommended for cabins, which fill months in advance for summer and holiday weekends.

Largely yes. The Quinn's geothermal source is mineral-rich but the sulfur smell is mild compared to Pacific Northwest hot springs. The seven pools at varying temperatures all draw from the same source. The water is flow-through (continuously refreshed) rather than recirculated, which keeps it cleaner and reduces any chemical sense. The cold plunge is the contrast option for the hot-cold rotation between pools.

Different products. Quinn's is the riverside canyon resort with cabins and seven pools, adult-leaning, contemplative atmosphere. Fairmont is a 350-foot water slide family resort with two Olympic-size mineral swimming pools, larger and more aquatic-park style. Pick Quinn's for a quiet Clark Fork weekend; pick Fairmont for a family weekend with water slides and resort dining.